KWAAI: Arsenal’s winner came via a Noni Madueke shot that was spilled by Hull’s goalie Konstantinos Tzolakis on Saturday

Image: AFP

MIKEL Arteta said that Noni Madueke is reaping the rewards of his dedication after his starring role in a 1-0 win over Hull that stretched Arsenal’s Premier League lead to six points over Manchester City on Saturday.

Madueke has made the most of fan favourite Bukayo Saka’s injury absence in recent weeks and played a key role in the only goal when the Gunners finally broke down Hull 18 minutes from time.

The England winger’s shot was spilled by Konstantinos Tzolakis and Martin Odegaard swept home the rebound.

Arteta wysed: “He’s a great example for the rest of the group because before the first international break he wasn’t playing.

“What he did is, instead of going on holidays, he went to Portugal and got somebody to train with him and got in better shape and condition and immediately he got back into the rhythm.

“You can see now he is full of confidence and trying things and getting past players, and he is impacting games with goals and assists, and we are very happy with that.”

Arsenal were again guilty of a lack of killer instinct, with a single goal to show for 21 shots.

But a seventh clean sheet ground out a ninth win in 10 league games this season.

Arteta’s manne have won all five league games since losing to Brighton just before the last international break.

He added: “I think it is time to praise my players. What they have done, not only today but after the international break, is remarkable because of the games.

“We kept generating chances, the final pass was missing or the last shot was blocked. We said at halftime, if this is the case, it will go all the way to fulltime, but at some point it would come.”

HAPPY CHAPPY: Mikel Arteta

Image: IANS